Trostburg

About the museum

The Trostburg stands above Ponte Gardena, at the entrance to the Val Gardena. In 1173 it is mentioned as the seat of Cunrath de Trosperch, belonging to the family of the lords of Castelrotto; the keep dates from around 1230. Around 1290 it passed from the lords of Velthurns to the Count of Tyrol, who pawned it or sold it to the lords of Villandro and Wolkenstein. For some six hundred years it was the main residence of the Counts of Wolkenstein-Trostburg, one of the most important noble families of Tyrol.

The main phases of extension date from the late 15th century and the early 17th century. The castle preserves Romanesque arches over doors and windows, defensive works from the time of the poet Oswald von Wolkenstein and a late Gothic residence of the 15th and early 16th centuries, with a richly carved Gothic stube with triple vault, the “Nuovo Salone dei Cavalieri” (New Knights' Hall) completed around 1618, the loggia with heraldic frescoes and the painted chapel.

Threatened with ruin, the castle was bought in 1967 by a company formed by some members of today's Istituto dei castelli dell'Alto Adige (South Tyrol Castles Institute), which carried out consolidation and restoration work there from 1967 to 1977. It has belonged to the Institute since 1981 and has been open to the public since 1977.

The permanent exhibition of the Museum of the Castles of South Tyrol, “Burgen – Bauwerke der Geschichte”, with 86 scale models of South Tyrol's castles, is housed in three rooms.

Highlights

• Gothic stube with triple vault, preserved for over 600 years
• “Nuovo Salone dei Cavalieri” from around 1618
• Richly painted castle chapel and loggia with heraldic frescoes
• Museum of the Castles of South Tyrol with 86 scale models
• Barbican with wine press, vaulted stable and “Torre dei Romani”
• Presumed birthplace of the poet Oswald von Wolkenstein

Permanent exhibition

• Südtiroler Burgenmuseum Trostburg: Burgen – Bauwerke der Geschichte – Permanent exhibition in three rooms with 86 scale models of South Tyrol's castles, including models made between 1923 and 1963, and a section on the model-maker Ludwig Mitterdorfer and the castle scholar Josef Weingartner.

Operated by

Südtiroler Burgeninstitut

Visitors per year

approx. 7,668

Admission & discounts

The ticket includes the guided tour. Discount cards (Guestpass, Museumobilcard, Museumcard) are not valid at the castle.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

People with mobility difficulties can reach the castle by car from the Burgfrieden-Weg, but the medieval architecture, with narrow passages and an irregular layout, only very partly allows the changes of level between the rooms to be overcome.

Kids & families

Children can collect stickers for young explorers at the castle; reduced admission for children aged 6 to 14 and free admission under 6.

Getting there & parking

The castle lies between Bolzano (23 km) and Chiusa (6 km). On foot from Ponte Gardena: along the Trostburgweg from Piazza Oswald von Wolkenstein in 15–20 minutes, or along the asphalted Burgfrieden-Weg in about 30 minutes. A taxi service is offered by the firm Torggler of Barbiano (+39 0471 650004).

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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